Ice Chest With Beverage Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A ice chest with beverage dispenser comprising a housing, where the housing is surrounded by a set of insulated walls; a lid resting atop the housing; a first compartment within the housing; a second compartment within the housing positioned beneath the first compartment, where the second compartment is separated from the first compartment with a divider and where the second compartment is filled with a beverage; an opening within the divider, where the opening provides access into the second compartment; a cap covering the opening, where the cap provides a waterproof seal between the first compartment and the second compartment; a cup holder attached to a wall of the housing, where the cup holder holds one or more cups; and a spigot positioned against the housing along a bottom portion of the second compartment, where the spigot provides an outlet to dispense the beverage into the cups.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ice chest that includes a separate compartment to store and dispense beverages. The ice chest includes a disposable cup holder to enable a user to quickly and easily dispense the beverage into readily available cups.

2. Description of Related Art

Cooler and ice chests are common items found at sporting events, on worksites and in most home garages. The coolers are useful to store chilled or frozen foods or beverages, because the walls are typically insulated to ensure that the cold internal temperature is maintained longer than in a non-insulated box or container. Many times separate coolers are bought, one to store food while another is used to store and dispense beverages. The separate containers often prove to be cumbersome to transport, and space consuming for storage which may become annoying and problematic for the users.

Developments have been made to combine an ice chest to house food items with a water cooler to dispense water or other beverages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,475 by Samuel R. Herrera discloses a portable cooler wherein an ice chest is positioned above a set of bins. The bins are able to slide in and out of the portable cooler for placement of the chilled items. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,787 by Mark G. Friday discloses a combination food and beverage cooler wherein the cooler is divided to separate a beverage compartment positioned within the base of the cooler. The cooler stores chilled items within its main compartment, and dispenses liquids from the bottom beverage compartment.

It would be beneficial in the art to provide a cooler/ice chest combination wherein both chilled food and beverages may be stored in a single container. It would also be desirable in the art to provide accessories attached to the ice chest/cooler for added convenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an ice chest with beverage, configured to include all of the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ice chest to store chilled or frozen items which is combined with a beverage dispenser positioned within the base of the ice chest.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice chest with beverage dispenser wherein a cup holder is attached to the ice chest to provide readily available cups for the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice chest with beverage dispenser wherein the ice chest and the beverage dispenser are separated with a divider that includes an opening to enable the user to fill the beverage dispenser through the opening.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice chest with beverage dispenser that includes handles and wheels to easily transport the ice chest from one location to another.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, an ice chest with beverage dispenser is described comprising a housing, where the housing is surrounded by a set of insulated walls; a lid resting atop the housing; a first compartment within the housing; a second compartment within the housing positioned beneath the first compartment, where the second compartment is separated from the first compartment with a divider and where the second compartment is filled with a beverage; an opening within the divider, where the opening provides access into the second compartment; a cap covering the opening, where the cap provides a waterproof seal between the first compartment and the second compartment; a cup holder attached to a wall of the housing, where the cup holder holds one or more cups; and a spigot positioned against the housing along a bottom portion of the second compartment, where the spigot provides an outlet to dispense the beverage into the cups.

These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an ice chest with beverage dispenser in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of a lid in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to an ice chest that includes a separate compartment to store and dispense beverages. The ice chest includes a disposable cup holder to enable a user to quickly and easily dispense the beverage into readily available cups. The present invention provides an ice chest with beverage dispenser which is divided into two separate compartments to store both chilled food items and beverages simultaneously. The ice chest with beverage dispenser includes a spigot attached to the beverage dispenser portion to dispense the beverage. A cup holder may also be attached to the ice chest with beverage dispenser so that the user may dispense the beverage from the spigot into the cups as needed. The ice chest with beverage dispenser is ideal for construction workers, athletes, outdoorsmen and families by providing them with a convenient, transportable and easy to use device that keeps both their food and beverages chilled until desired for consumption.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a front view of an ice chest with beverage dispenser (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is illustrated with the front wall removed for simplicity when showing and describing the internal components of the ice chest with beverage dispenser (100). The ice chest with beverage dispenser (100) includes a housing (102) to contain the internal components. The housing (102) is surrounded by a set of walls that are insulated to preserve the temperature within the housing (102). The housing (102) may be square, rectangular, circular or another common ice chest or cooler shape.

Resting atop the housing (102) is a lid (104) that is shaped in a coordinating shape as the housing (102). The lid (104) is insulted and creates an airtight seal when on top of the housing (102) to maintain the internal temperature of the housing (102) during use. The lid (104) may be attached to the housing (102) with a hinge (not shown). The hinge allows the lid (104) to flip open and close without detaching from the housing (102).

Attached to the outer surface of the housing (102) is a handle (106). The handle (106) may be a pair wherein a second handle is attached to an opposing wall. The handle (106) enables the user to easily transport and carry the housing (102) as needed. The handle (106) may be positioned near where the housing (102) meets the lid (104) for better leverage while transporting. The handle (106) may be covered with a comfort grip padding for a more comfortable feel against the user's hands.

Affixed to the housing (102) may be a disposable cup holder (108). The disposable cup holder (108) may be secured below the handle (106) low enough to where during use the disposable cup holder (108) does not interfere with the handle (106). The disposable cup holder (108) may be removable or detachable from the housing (102). The disposable cup holder (108) contains a sleeve of disposable cups (110). The disposable cups (110) allow the user to dispense the beverage from the ice chest with beverage dispenser (100) into the cups (110) for consumption.

The housing (102) is separated into two separate compartments, a first compartment (112) and a second compartment (114). The first compartment (112) is positioned atop the second compartment (114). The first compartment (112) is separated from the second compartment (114) with a divider (116) which extends across the entire length and width of the housing (102). The divider (116) is a waterproof partition that ensures that the contents of the first compartment (112) do not get into the second compartment (114) and vice versa. During use, the first compartment (112) may generally be used as an ice chest or cooler wherein the user places chilled or frozen items that remain chilled while the lid (104) remains in place. The second compartment (114) may be a beverage container or dispenser that houses liquids commonly used for human consumption.

The first compartment (112) may include one or more baffles (122) to divide the first compartment (112) into two or more chambers. The baffles (122) enable the chilled air to easily travel throughout the first compartment (112) but maintain divisions within the first compartment (112) to separate the chilled items as desired. During use, ice, ice packs, gel packs and the like may be placed within the first compartment (112) to chill the items. The baffles (122) may include small holes to allow cool air and melted liquids to pass through the baffles (122) into the separate chambers. Alternatively, the baffles (122) may be solid to ensure that liquids do not pass, therefore keeping the items completely separate within each chamber. With the solid baffles (122) the items placed within the first compartment (112) remain separated allowing some chambers to be liquid free while others contain liquid from the melted ice or packs.

Positioned along a bottom portion of the first compartment (112) and extending out of the housing (102) may be a drain (124). The drain (124) provides an outlet for the user to drain any accumulated water or liquids from the first compartment (112). The drain (124) may be positioned on the same wall as the disposable cup holder (108) or on an adjacent or opposing wall (as shown). The drain (124) may include a stopper (126) to regulate the flow of liquids out of the first compartment (112), therefore the user controls the output as desired. The stopper (126) may be a plug, a cap, a valve or another commonly used stopper for an ice chest.

Secured within the divider (116) along the bottom portion of the first compartment (112) may be a cap (128). The cap (128) provides a covering and a waterproof seal for an opening (130) between the first compartment (112) and the second compartment (114). The opening (130) provides the user with an access point from within the first compartment (112) to fill the second compartment (114). The user may pass ice and beverage liquids through the opening (130). After filling, the cap (128) is placed over the opening (130) to ensure that none of the product from the second compartment (114) enters the first compartment (112) and vice versa. The cap (128) may be threaded or snap-on to securely fit within the opening (130).

Additionally, to fill the second compartment (114), a fill tube (118) may extend from a top portion of the first compartment (112) into the second compartment (114). The fill tube (118) enables the user to pour liquid beverages into the second compartment (114). The fill tube (118) may be utilized after ice is placed in the second compartment (114) through the opening (130) to fill the second compartment (114) with the beverage. The fill tube (118) may be especially useful if the first compartment (112) is full of items and the opening (130) cannot be accessed, because then the user still has the fill tube (118) to pour the beverage into the second compartment (114). The fill tube (118) may include a plug (120) to prevent items or liquids from getting into the fill tube (118) and consequently into the second compartment (114).

Along a bottom portion of the second compartment (114) may be a spigot (130) or spout. The spigot (132) provides access outside of the housing (102) to the beverage within the second compartment (114). The spigot (132) may include a button (134) which the user presses to dispense the beverage into one of the disposable cups (110).

The housing (102) may include a set of wheels (132) attached beneath the second compartment (114) at one side or both sides of the housing (102). The wheels (132) enable the user to wheel the ice chest with beverage dispenser (100) by pushing or pulling the handle (106), which is easier for the user than having to carry the housing (102).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the lid (104) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The lid (104) may include a door (140) to allow access into the housing (102). The door (140) may slide open or flip open for access into the first compartment (112). The door (140) may include a handle (146) to move and control the door (140). Next to the door (140) may be a platform (142). The platform (142) may include a track (144) to enable the door (140) to slide back and forth, therefore opening and closing access through the lid (104). Alternatively, the door (140) may be attached to the platform (142) with a hinge (not shown) to enable the door (140) to flip open and close as desired. The platform (142) may provide a table for the user to rest their items from within the first compartment (112) or their beverages accessed from the second compartment (114).

The platform (142) may include a light (148) to illuminate inside the first compartment (112). The light (148) may be positioned along the lateral portion of the platform (142), or it may be positioned towards where the platform (142) connects to the door (140). The light (148) enables the user to see inside the darkened first compartment (112). Next to the light (148) may be a light switch (152) to activate the light (148). The light (148) is battery powered where the batteries are housed within a battery pack (150) attached to the platform (142). The light (148) and the light switch (152) may alternatively be attached to the door (140).

During use, the ice chest with beverage dispenser (100) provides an easy to use portable cooler able to store chilled or frozen items while simultaneously providing a beverage dispenser conveniently combined within the same device. The housing (102) and the lid (104) may be made from a foam or molded plastic material or another material commonly used in the art for making coolers. With unique accessories like the disposable cup holder (110), the fill tube (118) and the light (148) the ice chest with beverage dispenser (100) provides features beneficial to athletes, construction worker, outdoorsmen and homeowners alike.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A ice chest with beverage dispenser comprising: a housing, where said housing is surrounded by a set of insulated walls; a lid resting atop said housing, where said lid is insulated; a first compartment within said housing; a second compartment within said housing positioned beneath said first compartment, where said second compartment is separated from said first compartment with a divider and where said second compartment is filled with a beverage; an opening within said divider, where said opening provides access into said second compartment; a cap covering said opening, where said cap provides a waterproof seal between said first compartment and said second compartment; a cup holder attached to a wall of said housing, where said cup holder holds one or more cups; and a spigot positioned against said housing along a bottom portion of said second compartment, where said spigot provides an outlet to dispense said beverage into one or more cups.
 2. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one handle.
 3. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes a set of wheels.
 4. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein along a bottom portion of said first compartment is a drain extending out of said housing, where said drain includes a stopper.
 5. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said second compartment includes a fill tube that extends from a top portion of said first compartment and into said second compartment, where said fill tube enables said beverage to be poured into said second compartment.
 6. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 5, where said fill tube includes a plug.
 7. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said lid is attached to said housing with a hinge.
 8. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cup holder is removable from said housing.
 9. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said cap is threaded to screw into said opening.
 10. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said lid includes a door to access into said first compartment.
 11. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 10, wherein positioned next to said door is platform.
 12. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 11, wherein said door slides along a track attached to said platform to open and close said door.
 13. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 10, wherein said door includes a handle.
 14. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 11, where said platform includes a light to illuminate said first compartment, where said light includes a switch and a battery pack for activation.
 15. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein said first compartment includes at least one baffle to create individual chambers within said first compartment.
 16. The ice chest with beverage dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said baffle include a plurality of holes to enable air and liquid to pass between said chambers. 